Supporting Your School Through the PTO

Well, I just had my very first ever PTO meeting last night, and I am overwhelmed to say the least. I always thought being a part of the PTO would be fun, and I'm sure it will be, but I never had any idea what these ladies go through every school year. WOW!! I would recommend that everyone out there help out your child's PTO at least one time. You will come away with a new respect for the amount of time and effort that goes into all those extra things the PTO is in charge of.

Fundraisers - Your PTO is most likely in charge of all of the fundraisers that take place throughout the school year. There is a lot of behind the scenes work that needs to be done to make these fundraisers successful. For example, the box tops, labels, and Tyson programs that your school may be in charge of. I bet you didn't know that once you drop off your labels and box tops at school, your PTO members have to take every single one and cut the small portion that each company requires, and then bag them or rubber band them in certain quantities. A successful fundraiser of this nature can being in thousands of labels and box tops so just imagine the amount of time it takes for the PTO members to sit and cut all of these out. My advice to you is to ask one of your PTO members exactly what portion is needed from each label and box top, and make sure yours are cut out. You have no idea how much this will be appreciated.
Teacher/Staff Appreciation Gifts - You may not be aware, but in most schools, the PTO is in charge of gifts for the teachers and staff for Christmas, birthdays, and appreciation weeks.
Room Mothers/Fathers - If you have a child in elementary school, then you are familiar with all of the holiday parties that take place every year. Your PTO is in charge of selecting room mothers, and making sure to communicate with them regarding these parties.

There are so many other ways that your PTO helps out your school from coordinating parents to help out with field trips, helping teachers, yearbook, special activity days, and the list just keeps going. And did I mention these wonderful men and women are volunteers?
So, if you want to help out your school, and make a difference, consider volunteering for the PTO. It will be a very fun and rewarding experience, and I'm sure you will find yourself drawn to it year after year. If your schedule just will not allow you to volunteer, then you can do your part simply by participating in the fundraisers that your child brings home. The fundraisers are generally the biggest money maker the PTO has every year, and the profits from them allow them to fund more programs for the school. Even if can only afford to purchase one tub of cookie dough, or one roll of wrapping paper, every little bit helps.
So, get out there and support your school and your PTO! :)